Two Armed Robbery Suspects Arraigned In Ogwashi-Uku High Court
Two suspected armed robbers have been arraigned before the Delta State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku over an alleged violent robbery attack, in a case that carries the possibility of the death penalty under Nigerian law.
The Nigerian Police Force formally charged the suspects, Azuka Joshua Okonji and Nonso Uwem Elijah, in an 11-count charge filed as Charge No. O/M/6C/2026 before the court.
The charges were filed by the Police Prosecutor, Barrister R.O Eze Esq, from the State Police Headquarters following investigations into a violent robbery incident involving Mr. Chukwudumebi Ogogho.
According to the police charge sheet presented before the court, the suspects allegedly carried out the attack while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, which were later recovered during police investigations.
During the attack, the suspects were said to have allegedly inflicted serious injuries on their victim and forcefully dispossessed him of his Lifan motorcycle and a Samsung Galaxy A32 mobile phone.
The charge further stated that the suspects also robbed Mr. Friday Miracle of his Tecno mobile phone valued at ₦80,000.
In addition to armed robbery, the suspects are facing charges including unlawful possession of firearms, threats to life, and causing grievous bodily harm to their victims.
The two defendants were formally arraigned before the High Court and subsequently remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre in Ogwashi-Uku, pending the receipt of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Sources within the police investigation team disclosed that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly implicated certain directors of a company identified as Ughege Farms and Processing Co Ltd, claiming they were sent to carry out the robbery and had been sponsoring their activities within the community.
Police sources further confirmed that investigators are expanding the probe to track down the alleged sponsors and other possible co-conspirators, noting that under Nigerian criminal law anyone who directs, finances, or conspires in the commission of an armed robbery offence may be deemed equally culpable.
Security authorities say efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest any additional suspects connected to the crime as the investigation continues.
